Authored by Clarence (Singapore), MSc Living Planet focusing on Ecology, Evolution and Conservation
When the majority of Imperial students picture Silwood Park, they see a vibrant, intriguing, and verdant campus abundant with flora and fauna not typically found at other locations like South Kensington or White City. In numerous respects, they are correct – and every representation of Silwood Park holds true!
As an ambassador of this lesser-known segment of Imperial, I wish to shed light on the student life, activities, and community at our natural parkland campus located in Ascot, Berkshire.
A glimpse into Silwood Park
Silwood Park functions as Imperial’s outdoor research facility, covering an area of 77 hectares and showcasing ecosystems such as freshwater streams, lakes, an “ancient” woodland, and expansive grasslands. A brief look on iNaturalist, an application designed for cataloging and sharing biodiversity observations across a global network of naturalists, indicates that 1,436 species of plants, animals, and fungi have been recorded on campus. Furthermore, eBird reports that 111 bird species have been identified on campus to date.
Notably, Silwood Park serves as the venue for various long-term field research initiatives, with the Nash’s Field Experiment and the Blue Tit Project being among the more recognized research endeavors conducted on location.
Students’ experiences at Silwood Park
The campus mainly accommodates postgraduate students passionate about ecology, conservation, and evolutionary studies. A number of us are engaged in multiple clubs based at Silwood Park. Noteworthy examples include:
- Chicken Club – taking care of the chickens nurtured behind our residence halls
- Book Club – routinely discussing intriguing reads from their selected list
- Gardening Club – overseeing the allotments within our community garden
- Conservation Club – arranging nature walks and conservation efforts for students on Silwood Park Campus.
As part of the broader Imperial student body, many of us also get involved in activities of clubs situated in South Kensington!
Casually, we have clubs participating in sports like badminton, basketball, and pickleball (my absolute favorite!), utilizing either the multi-use games arena (MUGA) on campus or indoor sports facilities in nearby towns such as Bracknell or Ascot.
Apart from club events and classes, we host numerous community-led happenings on campus. Silwood Park boasts its own student council responsible for organizing and facilitating these activities, fostering a lively and engaging student atmosphere! Recently, we hosted the Silwood language exchange, where our predominantly international community exchanged languages and cultures over several weeks. We also rang in the Chinese New Year at the beginning of the year, crafting dumplings and couplets to celebrate the new lunar year. Additionally, we’ve organized community parties recognizing global occasions (like Carnival) or merely celebrating the joy of gathering.
My cherished campus event is the weekly pub quiz, organized by our student community. It’s a Silwood tradition that the individuals who lose the quiz are tasked with arranging the next one, and I can proudly assert that I’ve set the most pub quizzes this year. Despite frequently losing these quizzes due to my limited knowledge of general trivia, there’s always fun to be had in great company along with a refreshing pint of beer.
Silwood Park: my second home
Even though it’s a 30-minute stroll from the lively essence of civilization (for instance, the train station and the nearest village), life at Silwood Park has never seemed dull or uneventful. Beyond the variety of events and activities, we enjoy a warm and inviting community of students hailing from various parts of the world. We all cherish nature, our stunning campus grounds, and, most importantly, each other’s companionship. We’re a close-knit community that relishes stargazing in the winter chill in the open field adjacent to our bar, observing birds and mammals that visit our windows, and spending time surrounded by fellow nature enthusiasts.
Most evenings, I prepare meals with my dear friend from India, who shares my passion for